Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Review

The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe is an impressively effective steam mop with a 474ml capacity water tank with a 1-inch opening and a 25-foot cord. It comes with two mop pads that attach with elastic and a scrubbing brush. It has no hose or additional attachments.

Performance Comparison

Cleaning Performance

During standard cleaning, the PowerFresh Deluxe provides nice, even steam that easily cuts through everyday messes. Its mop head glides nicely across evenly textured tile and doesn't get caught on deep grout grooves. The zig-zag pattern on the head provides just the right amount of scrubbing power without being too harsh. When you need a little extra oomph to your scrubbing, a step lever easily detaches the mop head from the end, leaving you with a large stiff-bristled scrubbing pad to dig into stubborn messes and caked-on dirt. Snapping the mop head back into place is just as simple, allowing you to seamlessly transition from mopping to scrubbing and back again.

Unlike many other models, with their scrubbing attachments on the end of a hose, the PowerFresh Deluxe is more effective and easier to use at the end of the main body of the mop. This not only means you don't have to get down on your hands and knees to scrub but also gives you more leverage to really get after those tough messes. Out of all the mops we tested, this is our favorite model for serious scrubbing on floors. It only loses by a small margin to models with numerous intensive scrubbing accessories — the PowerFresh Deluxe lacks any additional scrubbers. However, it does come with two scent discs that can be placed in a slot on the cleaning head to give the steam a light, fresh scent.

Ease of Use

The PowerFresh Deluxe has two simple buttons to select your desired steam output. Other than that, you don't need to do anything to release the steam. The water tank has a good-sized 1 inch opening with a flip-top lid on top, making it very easy to fill. It even has a detachable measuring cup with a spout, so you can easily get the right amount of water and don't have to search around for the cup, and the tank is clear, so you can tell at a glance how much water is left. The tank capacity of 474ml is plenty for most cleaning jobs around the home — we were able to clean a moderately messy kitchen and two bathrooms on a single tank. The water gets up to temperature in less than a minute, so you won't be wasting too much time even if you have to refill the tank.

When in use, the PowerFresh Deluxe feels quite solid and reliable. It's maneuverable without feeling loose and, importantly, can stand up on its own. This is an important feature when filling the water tank, if you need to step away during cleaning, and for easy storage. The mop pads easily attach with elastic, and, like most mops we tested, they can be tossed in the washing machine for easy cleanup or rinsed by hand in the kitchen sink. This mop comes with two slightly different mop pads — one is softer for standard mopping needs, while the other is more textured for heavier duty cleaning. Both pads are thick and well made, and they are easy to get on and take off — though the process is not hands-free, like a few models we tested.

Maneuverability

A particularly smooth, thick mop pad along with excellent steam power allows the PowerFresh Deluxe to glide over every surface easily. Able to tackle more than just smooth tile, this steamy contender also cleaned stone and ceramic without any issues. The trapezoidal shape, low profile of the cleaning head, and ability to pivot in every direction make it simple to get into tight corners and under the edges of low kitchen cabinets. The steam distribution was even enough that these hard-to-reach places consistently got clean. The Deluxe also has one of the longest power cords of any of the models we tested, measuring 25 feet.

With pads that wrap completely around all edges of the mop head, ensuring that edges and 90-degree corners are adequately cleaned is a breeze. Simply turn the PowerFresh Deluxe sideways to reach into narrow spots that are otherwise hard to reach. It's not the narrowest-headed mop we tested, but it's pretty close, making it easier than most to squeeze into that space between your refrigerator and the wall. The only minor flaw in this otherwise highly maneuverable mop is that the back edge of the head is curved, making it more difficult to clean edges with that side.

Features

The PowerFresh Deluxe is somewhat spartan when it comes to extra features. It doesn't include any additional mop heads (though it does have a coarser scrubbing pad). It also doesn't have a hose or any of the accessories that would come with one (like attachments to clean your stovetop or shower). It does have that scrubbing brush that we love so much, and you can adjust the steam level, but that's about it. This was still enough to earn the PowerFresh Deluxe a slightly above average score in this metric, as most mops have few if any extra features.

The Deluxe allows you to adjust the steam output — lower it for small messes and ramp it when necessary. This is great for changing between standard everyday messes and really intense stains. It also comes in handy during the summer to avoid turning an already warm home into a steamy sauna.

Value

The Deluxe is one of just a few products out there that fit in the Goldilocks zone of price and performance. Despite having a price not much more than some of the least expensive mops we tested, this one outperforms the rest and is our favorite simple yet effective contender throughout several years of testing. If you love a high-value product, the PowerFresh Deluxe is about as good as it gets.

Conclusion

The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe is both high performing and reasonably priced, making it a fantastic choice for the vast majority of those looking for a steam mop. The only reason to look elsewhere is if you want a mop with many different cleaning attachments or have very large areas to clean — and are willing to spend a bit more on those extras.